West Ham welcome Leeds United to the London Stadium for an FA Cup quarter-final on Easter Sunday – and Daniel Farke has a warning, as well as a major problem.
Wembley is now just one win away as the Hammers take on Leeds for a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
It comes as a welcome distraction for Nuno Espirito Santo and Daniel Farke, who can enjoy a welcome break from the pressure cooker of the Premier League relegation battle.
West Ham and Leeds United are embroiled in a four-way fight for survival with Spurs and Forest.
Leeds’ top scorer Calvert-Lewin set to miss West Ham clash
But that will be put to one side when the two clubs meet at the London Stadium for a rare FA Cup quarter-final appearance.
Given what is at stake in the Premier League, there has been much debate about whether the Hammers and Elland Road outfit should go full strength for the FA Cup quarter-final.
Wembley awaits the winner!
What is your favourite FA Cup moment of 2026 so far? 🏆
Jarrod Bowen of West Ham United celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the match during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between West Ham United and Brentford on March 9, 2026 in London, England.
Do the obvious risks of injuries to key players outweigh the prospect of Wembley and taking one more step towards potential silverware – and European football.
MORE WEST HAM STORIES
Well now Farke has fired a warning to West Ham but Leeds United’s main man is out of the FA Cup clash.
Farke has revealed that striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin – who West Ham snubbed on a free in the summer – is a doubt to face them due to a hamstring issue which has been scanned.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin celebrates scoring for Leeds United
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
West Ham revealed Graham Potter turned down signing Calvert-Lewin in the summer. That decision looks questionable given he has notched 11 Premier League goals this season.
Calvert-Lewin missed Leeds training on Thursday because of what is described as a “minor” hamstring problem.
But Farke admits there is “a question mark” over the striker’s availability for Sunday’s match – and he went on to make it clear he will not risk any players with injury concerns.
However, the German has vowed to field his strongest available XI to take on the Hammers in east London as he looks to take the game ‘very seriously’.
Farke vows to field strongest available Leeds side at West Ham
“The Premier League is our bread and butter business and it has, of course, highest priority, but I’m a big believer in the cup competition,” Farke said in his press conference.
“And it’s the first time since, I think, over two decades that we’re on the quarter-final of the FA Cup. And we know that we all have the chance to write a bit more history for this club. And on the other hand, it’s also like, it makes no sense just to put the players for three weeks into cotton wool just to have them available or not injured then for the next game on a Monday night away at Man United. It doesn’t work in this way.
Summerville touch-and-go for the FA Cup quarter-final! 🏆
Who would you pick to START vs Leeds?
Select your favourite for each position and we will collate an XI based on your overall votes!
“So they need to stay in the rhythm. They need to stay sharp. And for that, we just have the next league game then just eight days later.
“So for that, it makes no sense to rest too many players. We want to go with a strong starting lineup without doing anything stupid.
Crysencio Summerville in action for West Ham
Photo by Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images
“If we got the feeling someone is a risk due to, yeah, some physical problems or whatever, we won’t risk it. But apart from this, we want to go with a strong starting lineup because, yes, away game at West Ham, they are like us, also a bit like in the relegation battle, but they’ve played the last decade more or less on Premier League level and they have a home game. Of course, they are perhaps even a bit more the favourite, but I’m pretty sure that also many Leeds supporters will travel in order to support us.
“And together with them, of course, if there’s a chance also to go perhaps into the semi-final, yeah, of course, we’d love to do this. And for that, yeah, I want to retake this game very seriously. We are honoured and want to prepare in the best possible way.
“It’s always a bit tricky, first game after the international break, but it will be the same for West Ham again. And for that, I want us to go strong. And if we have a chance also to go and progress through into the next round.”
"We have a chance to write more history for this club" 🏆
Leeds manager Daniel Farke insists he will name a strong lineup in their FA Cup quarter-final against West Ham ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/i5N2Kwgh8W
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 2, 2026
View Tweet
The big question mark on the West Ham side surrounds former Leeds United star Crysencio Summerville.
Flying Dutchman Summerville has been in his best form since joining the Hammers for £26m from Leeds, scoring seven goals in 10 games before a calf injury ruled him out of the last two matches.
West Ham went cloak and dagger over Summerville’s return for Leeds this week.
So it remains to be seen if the 24-year-old is risked against his old club or saved for the must-win Premier League clash vs Wolves five days later.
The game is something of a dress rehearsal for a final say showdown between West Ham and Leeds at the London Stadium, which many feel could decide who stays up.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best West Ham content each week direct to your mailbox